How to make American coffee at home

Large and steaming cup, the intense aroma that envelops every corner of the house, sweeter scent: today we are talking about American coffee.   It is a myth that has always been part of our imagination. In fact, since the advent of TV and the great novels from the United States, we have heard of a coffee to be sipped slowly. In each show, the protagonists appear with their “glass” of American coffee that seems so distant from our beloved espresso.   On the wave of the great television series, following the desire to get to know other cultures, the consumption of American coffee is also becoming an increasingly widespread trend in Italy. However, not everyone is aware that authentic American coffee originated in our peninsula and has a completely distinct aroma from the variety that our television heroes drink. If you’ve always wondered what it tasted like, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll examine the origins of American coffee and discuss how it differs from both traditional espresso and filtered coffee. We’ll go over how to make American coffee at home, its history, and the ideal blend to use. With lever coffee machines, it will be really easy to prepare an American coffee according to the original recipe. These devices, in fact, allow you to make an excellent drink. Let’s start our journey to discover American coffee and its variants!  

What is American coffee

Many people confuse filtered coffee (caffè all’americana in Italian) with American coffee.  It seems a subtlety but, in reality, the two definitions refer to completely different drinks and traditions. First, we must give a precise definition of American coffee.   Many people confuse brewed coffee (caffè all’americana in Italian) with American coffee.   It seems a subtlety but, in reality, the two definitions refer to completely different drinks and traditions. The first is what you drink from large, covered glasses while walking or reaching work. This image is a bit of a reflection of the great American metropolises, where people sip American-style coffee on the streets.   It is a watered-down coffee, prepared with a machine consisting of a tank, carafe, and filter holder. This is what is called brewed coffee.     The American coffee that is drunk in Italy has different features. This drink is very connected to the tradition of our peninsula, where it originated.   In our country, pubs and cafés frequently provide this coffee-based beverage. Espresso coffee serves as the main component, to which a sizable amount of boiling water is added. As a result, the taste differs greatly from espresso. In fact, American coffee has a softer flavour, is more watered, and lacks the customary cream. However, it retains its power without losing any of its flavour. People who like to enjoy their coffee more slowly tend to prefer it to espresso.

The origins of American coffee

As we have seen, American coffee is not what is consumed on the streets of New York or what they drink in overseas movies. In reality, American coffee is a typical drink of our peninsula that only has its origins in the exotic.   According to tradition, it seems that American coffee was invented by American soldiers during the Second World War. The soldiers stationed in Italy were not used to the strong and full-bodied taste of espresso coffee. For this reason, they diluted the espresso with boiling water to recreate the coffee they used to drink in the United States.   American coffee is also mentioned in a 1928 novel by Somerset Maugham “Ashenden: Or the British Agent“, in which the protagonist sips an American. Still, in a story by the same author, American coffee is pictured as a substitute for a cocktail. Although these citations date back to the late 1920s, there is no certain evidence that it was precisely American coffee.  

How much caffeine does American coffee have

Although it may be thought that American coffee is lighter and contains less caffeine, in reality, this is not the case at all. The presence of water does not affect the amount of caffeine contained in the drink. We explain why.   The caffeine content is calculated in ounces. One ounce equals 30 milliliters (consider that an espresso contains a little less than an ounce).   Espresso has an amount of caffeine ranging from 30 to 50 milligrams per ounce.   American coffee, on the other hand, contains 8 to 15 milligrams of caffeine.   Espresso coffee, therefore, has higher caffeine content, for the same quantity, compared to American coffee and filter coffee. And hence the misunderstanding!   Espresso indeed contains more caffeine per ounce. However, when you consume a cup of espresso, you only drink one ounce of coffee and therefore you consume about 8 mg of caffeine. A cup of filtered coffee or Americano, on the other hand, is about 8 ounces. You got it right: 8 ounces. Therefore, four times more drink is consumed than espresso coffee. Consequently, the quantity of caffeine also rises, oscillating between 65 and 120 milligrams per cup. In short, from this calculation, you will have understood that the amount of caffeine is almost the same and that you can taste both according to your tastes.  

How to prepare American coffee at home

Can American coffee also be made at home? The answer is absolutely yes.   It is an espresso elongated with boiling water, served in a larger cup, like that of a cappuccino.   Let’s see how to do it and which are the main ingredients. First, get some hot water, coffee powder, a glass, and a cup first. When we have what we need, we start making a long espresso. The ideal range is between 40 and 50 millilitres.   After preparing this base, a quantity of boiling water is added which can vary according to your preferences. In the classic American coffee recipe, the proportion is one cup of coffee for two cups of water.   To have an American coffee as good as the one in the bar, here are some little secrets:  

1. Choose filtered water: this will prevent impurities from altering the aroma of the coffee;
2. 1. Fill the cup with water before preparing the espresso: in this way, you will be able to obtain the cream that characterizes Italian espresso;
3. Use a Pontevecchio lever coffee machine: only with a professional coffee machine can you obtain an American coffee with an intense and characteristic taste.

Now you know the secrets of making American coffee, let’s see which blend to use.

The blend you should use for this coffee

Depending on whether you want to prepare filtered coffee or American coffee, you will have to choose coffee blends with different characteristics.   American coffee has very similar characteristics to espresso. So it does not require a specially prepared blend. The notes of this drink have the same intensity and maintain organoleptic characteristics very similar to the coffee in the bar.   The blend for filtered coffee, on the other hand, must be selected specifically. Its consolidated characteristics make the drink lighter and devoid of bitter notes.   The most suitable type of coffee is therefore the Arabica blend, pure or mixed with Robusta (with a proportion of 80% of Arabica and 20% of Robusta).   Two fundamental elements, however, are grinding and roasting.   The powder must have a medium-large grind. If you use the coffee grinder, be careful not to grind the coffee beans too coarsely. The result would be a weak and not very aromatic drink. However, even with a very fine grind, you risk altering the flavor, extracting a drink that is too bitter.   As for the roasting, choose it not too dark. In this way, the fresh notes will prevail over the bitter ones.  

American coffee variants

Coffee is a drink that adjusts well to many preparations. And so is American coffee. In many countries, in general, it is accompanied by a jug of hot water, to be able to lengthen the drink to your taste. But it can also be served iced, longer, or prepared with dripping coffee. Let’s see some variations of American coffee.  

• Long Black is a very popular drink in Australia. The customer is served a pot of boiling water and an espresso to add to it. You are the one preparing the American coffee, directly at the table.
• Iced Americano is a very summery and fresh variant and is offered as an alternative to coffee, in the hottest months. Iced American coffee is prepared with espresso coffee to which cold water or ice is added.
• Long American coffee is obtained by adding a larger quantity of espresso coffee. This drink has greater volume but also more bitter organoleptic characteristics.
• Red Eye is an American coffee that is made with dripping coffee instead of hot water. Its taste is much stronger and it contains a higher amount of caffeine.

American coffee: characteristics and benefits

American coffee, an energising beverage, has a positive impact on mood since it contains caffeine. In fact, its psychotropic qualities boost the positive charge and help fuel the want to act. Additionally, caffeine possesses antioxidant effects that aid in cell regeneration and fight cellular ageing. American coffee, which is made of coffee and water, doesn’t make you fat but boosts your metabolism and is suitable for vegans and vegetarians to consume. It is also a suggested beverage for people who have issues with allergic foods, such as gluten and lactose, for the same reason. As a result, drinking American coffee is not bad for people who follow a strict diet, unless they consume too many sweeteners. In fact, a cup of American coffee has no sugar and only a maximum of 15 calories from nutritional standpoint. Drinking American coffee after meals is especially recommended for aiding digestion, since it boosts metabolism and heightens feelings of fullness like espresso. Its consumption encourages the creation of insulin and maintains a low blood sugar level, both of which are advantageous for people with diabetes, as long as they don’t consume too much sugar.

Summary

Now you know all the secrets of American coffee and you can easily taste it in your home, with friends or alone!   In terms of energy, it changes little compared to traditional coffee. The amount of caffeine in a cup of espresso is almost the same as in a cup of American coffee.   For the preparation, don’t forget the tips we gave you: use filtered water, the grind should be medium-coarse, and the roasting light. For an excellent American coffee, the lever coffee machine is ideal, as it allows you to adjust the amount of water and extract a high-quality espresso. Discover the models of Pontevecchio lever machines, so you can make all the variations of American coffee you prefer at home.

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